Toilet ventilation system



Feb. 13, 1962 J. CHODACKI ETAL TOILET VENTILATION SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed June 6, 1961 a m a f y WM 7 c 1 M V Z 7 United States Patent3,020,564 TOILET VENTILATION SYSTEM Joseph Chodacki, Wayne County, Mich.(12504 Chas-est St., Detroit 12, Mich.) and Roman Zdrojkowski, WayneCounty, Mich. (3889 Sobieski, Detroit 12,

Mich.)

Filed June 6, 1961, Ser. No. 115,223 Claims. (Cl. 4-213) The presentinvention broadly relates to lavatory ventilating systems and moreparticularly to an improved automatically operable ventilating assemblyfor use on conventional toilet bowls.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvedventilating toilet seat system that can be readily installed onconventional toilet bowls and which provides forced draft ventilation ofthe interior of the bowl and the lavatory.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved toiletbowl ventilating system which is automatically operable only when theseat is occupied.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtoilet ventilating system incorporating therein a tubular hinge assemblyhaving ventilating apertures therethrough which are disposed incommunication with an exhaust system only when the seat is in thelowered position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtoilet ventilating assembly incorporating a tubular hinge assemblyhaving actuating means thereon for mechanically actuating a remotelydisposed electrical switching means for energizing the exhaust system toavoid any hazard of electrical shock to the occupant.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved toilet ventilating system which is of simple design, durableand automatic operation, of simple 7 installation and maintenance, andof economical manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the toilet bowl incorporating thereona ventilating assembly constructed in accordance with the preferredembodiments of the present invention and including a sectional view ofthe lavatory wall to illustrate the exhaust conduit means and electricalswitching means connected to the ventilation system;

FIG. 2 is'an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the ventilating toiletseat assembly shown in FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View through the tubular hingeassembly of the toilet seat ventilating assembly shown in FIG. 2 andtaken along the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the tubular hinge assemblyshown in FIG. 2 and taken along the line 4-4 thereof and illustratingthe toilet seat in the raised position;

FIG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the ventilatingtoilet seat assembly shown in FIG. 2 and taken along substantially line5--5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional "ice view throughthe tubular hinge assembly shown in FIG. 2 and taken along the line 6-6thereof;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through theexhaust conduit line shown in FIG. 2 and taken along line 77 thereof andincluding a vertical sectional view through the switch actuating meansand exhaust conduits disposed in the wall behind the toilet bowlassembly; and a FIG. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view of ajunction box shown in FIG. 7 and taken along the line 8-8 thereof.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and as may be best seen inFIGURE 1, a toilet ventilating system constructed in accordance with thepreferred embodiments of the present invention, comprises an oval shapedseat 20 and a seat cover 22 pivotally connected to a tubular hingeassembly 24 detachably'mounted on the rear portion of a conventionaltoilet bowl 26. An exhaust conduit system 28 is connected to one end ofthe tubular hinge assembly 24 and extends rearwardly therefrom beneath asupply tank '30 of the toilet bowl assembly and through the lavatorywall. tem 28 is slidably connected to a junction box 32 having anexhaust or vent stack 34' connected thereto through which theventilating exhausted air is drawn and discharged to the atmosphere. Thevent stack 34 prefere ably extends upwardly within the wall of thelavatory and can be connected to the suction side of a suitableelectrically driven exhaust-fan (not shown) from which the air and odorsare discharged through the roof or side wall of the building. Thejunction box 32 is also provided with a protective shield tube 36extending upwardly therefrom adjacent to the vent stack 34 to a pointbelow an electrical actuator switch 3 8 which is adapted to be trippedwhen the seat 20 is moved to the fully lowered position therebyenergizing the exhaust fan.

The toilet seat 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 through 6 is provided with achannel or recess 40 on the underside thereof which preferably slantsupwardly toward the tubular hinge assembly 24 to facilitate evacuationof air from the interior of the toilet bowl 26. The peripheral edge ofthe toilet seat 20 is adapted to snugly overlie the upper surface of thebowl 26 along the-side portions and rear portions thereof as shown inFIGS. 3 and 5. The front portion of the toilet seat 20 projects slightlybeyond the forward edge of the toilet bowl 26 as shown in FIG. 5providing an air inlet therebetween to the interior of the bowl. Therear portion of the toilet seat 20 is provided with a cylindrical ortubular mounting portion 42 integrally aflixed thereto and adapted toreceive a tubular sleeve 44 which is slidably disposed within thetubular mounting portion 42 and projects beyond the end edges thereof.The tubular sleeve 44 isprovided with a rectangular shaped vent aperture46 therethrough which, when the seat is disposed in the fully loweredposition as shown in FIG. 6 is disposed in communicationwith a throatportion 48 extending inwardly of the tubular mounting portion 42 anddisposed in com munication with the recess 40 on the underside of theseat 20. The seat cover 22 is provided with a pair of rearwardlyextending eyes 50 which are integrally secured to the seat cover andwhich are slidably and rotatably disposed around the periphery of thetubular sleeve 44. The seat 20 and the seat cover 22 can be The exhaustconduit sysmade of any suitable material and preferably is of a moldedor cast plastic material.

The tubular hinge assembly 24 on which the seat and seat cover 22 arepivotally mounted, is comprised of the tubular sleeve 44 which issupported by a mounting bracket 51 having a pair of transversely spacedupstanding bearing lugs 52 rigidly affixed to the base portion thereofand which bracket is removably secured to the rear portion of the toiletbowl 26. Each of the bearing lugs 52 is provided with a tubular bearingsleeve 54a, 54b affixed to the outer sides thereof and which aredisposed in substantial axial alignment with respect to each other. Thetubular bearing sleeves 54a, 54b have an internal diameter correspondingto the outside diameter of the tubular sleeve 44 for slidably receivingand remov'ably supporting each of the ends of the tubular sleeve 44. Theleft end of the tubular sleeve 44 as viewed in FIG. 3, is provided witha pair of diametrically disposed longitudinal notches 56 in which a pin58 is disposed and which is retained by a pair of apertures 60diametrically disposed through the tubular bearing sleeves 54a as shownin FIG, 3. The coaction between the pin 58 and the notches 56 at the endof the tubular sleeve 44 prevents relative rotation thereof with respectto the tubular bearing sleeves 54a, 54b. A cylindrical cap 62 isdisposed in overlying sliding relationship around the tubular bearingsleeve 54a for contacting the ends of the pin 58 projecting through theapertures 60 and the cap 62 is removably restrained thereon by means ofa set screw 64. The right end of the tubular sleeve 44 terminates asviewed in FIG. 3, at a point slightly beyond the projecting end of thetubular bearing sleeve 54b on the other side of the mounting bracket 51.

By virtue of the construction of the tubular hinge assembly 24, the seat20 and seat cover 22 are free to pivot on the periphery of the tubularsleeve 44 which is stationarily restrained from rotation in the tubularbearing sleeves 54a, 54b, by the coaction of the stop pin 58. Slidablydisposed within the tubular sleeve 44 is an inner tubular sleeve 66which is provided with a rectangular venting aperture 68 which isadapted to be aligned with the venting aperture 46 as shown in FIG. 6when the seat 20 is in the fully lowered position. The inner sleeve 66as is best shown in FIG. 3, projects beyond the terminal portion of thetubular sleeve 44 on the right end as viewed in FIG. 3 and is providedwith a pair of angularly inclined apertures 70 through which a lever arm72 extends for actuating the electrical switch 38 as will subsequentlybe described.

The tubular sleeve 44 and inner sleeve 66 are provided with arcuateslots 74 and 76 respectively, which are alignable longitudinally withrespect to each other and in which a nut 74 disposed in threadedengagement on a screw 80, is slidably disposed against the side edgesthereof. The screw 80 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 extends through anaperture 82a in the tubular mounting portion 42 of the seat 20 androtates relative to the tubular sleeve 44 in accordance with thepivoting movement of the seat.

As shown in FIG. 3, an alternate aperture 82b is provided on the righthand side of the tubular mounting portion 42 as viewed in FIG. 3 inwhich the screw 20 can be placed to reverse the ends of the tubularhinge assembly 24 whereby the exhaust conduit system 28 can be placedeither on the right end or left end thereof consistent with the specificlavatory arrangement.

When the seat 20 is in the fully raised position as shown in FIG. 4, thethroat 48 of the recess 40 is rotated out of communication with the ventaperture 46 in the tubular sleeve 44 preventing entry of any extraneousmaterials into the interior of the tubular hinge assembly when the seatis in the raised position. When the seat is in the fully raisedposition, the nut 78 is disposed against one end of the arcuate slot 74in the tubular sleeve '44 serving as a stop and preventing furtherrearward tilting movement of the seat 20. When the seat is pivoted toits fully lowered position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, the nut 78engages the opposite end edge of the arcuate slot 76 in the inner sleeve66 causing it to pivot in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG.5 whereby the lever arm 72 as shown in FIG. 7 is also caused to move ina counterclockwise direction effecting actuation of the switch 38 in amanner subsequently to be described.

The seat 20 as shown in phantom in FIG. 5 is disposed in a rest or aninoperative position wherein it is slightly inclined and raised upwardlyfrom the upper edge of the bowl 26. The seat 20 is resilientlymaintained in the rcst or inoperative position and in other tiltedpositions spaced upwardly therefrom by means of the coaction between aseries of longitudinal projections 84 extending longitudinally along therearward arcuate surface of the tubular mounting portion 42 as shown inFIG. 5, and a cylindrical spring rod 86 extending between the upstandingbearing lugs 52 of the mounting bracket 51. The ends of the spring rod86 are supported in a pair of elongated apertures 88 as is best seen inFIG. 4 and are adjustably biased against the rear surface of the tubularmounting portion 42 provided with the projections 84 therealong by meansof set screws 90 threadably engaged in the bearing lugs 52 and havingthe shank end portions thereof disposed in abutting relationship againstthe side of the spring rod 86. Accordingly, the seat is resilientlymaintained in a series of angular positions ranging from the uprightposition as shown in FIG. 4 to the inoperative angular rest positionshown in phantom in FIG. 5 in accordance with the positioning of theprojections 84 along the tubular mounting portion 42.

When in the inoperative position as shown in phantom in FIG. 5, the nut78 enables slight clockwise rotation of the inner sleeve 66 whereby thelever arm 72 moves in a clockwise direct-ion as viewed in FIG. 7 wherebythe linkage system connected to the lever arm 72 is in the inoperativeposition and the electrical switch 38 is not actuated. Movement of theseat from the rest or inoperative position shown in phantom in FIG. 5 tothe fully lowered or operative position as shown in solid lines causesthe nut 78 to engage the end edge of the arcuate slot 76 in the innersleeve 66 causing it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction movingthe lever arm 72 in a corresponding counterclockwise direction and whichmovement is transmitted through a linkage system hereinafter to bedescribed for actuating the electrical switch 38.

The linkage system connected to the end of the lever arm 72 as is bestseen in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 comprises a screw link 92 having an eye at oneend thereof through which the lever arm 72 extends and is pivotallyconnected therethrough. The other threaded shank end portion of thescrew link 92 is threadably engaged and disposed in one end of aconnecting member 94 which is provided with a socket in the other endthereof in which the end of a push rod 96 is seated for transmitting theactuating force of the lever arm 72 to a second connecting member 98 atthe other end thereof in which the other end of the push rod is seated.As shown in FIG. 7, the ends of the push rod 96 are provided withchamtered end edges forming a chisel point which is adapted to engagethe surfaces of the correspondingly shaped sockets in each of theconnecting members 94, 98 to prevent relative rotation between theconnecting member 94 and the screw link 92. By vritue of the threadedshank portion of the screw link 92, the length of the linkage assemblybetween the end of the lever arm 72 and a crankshaft 100 to which theother connecting member 98 is connected is adjustable to achieve thedesired length. As hereinbefore stated, rotation between the connectingmember 94 and the screw link 92 is prevented to avoid loss ofappropriate adjustment by virtue of the chisel end configuration of thepush rod 96 seated in the sockets of the connecting members 94' and 98.In order to rotate the connecting member 94 relative to the threadedshank portion of the screw link 92, it is necessary to slightly withdrawthe push rod 96 from the connecting member 94 to disengage the chiselend of the push rod from the connecting member 94.

The crank 100 as is best shown in FIG. 8, is rotatably mounted in thejunction box 32 and the bifurcated end of the connecting member 98 isdisposed in engagement with a first offset portion 102 thereon impartinga rotary movement to the crank on actuation of the lever arm 72. Asecond offset portion 104 of the crank 100 is connected to an insulatedflexible member 106 which is made of a suitable nonconductive materialto prevent conduction of electricity from the electrical switch 38 tothe exhaust conduit system 28. The ends of the flexible member 1015 areprovided with suitable engaging hooks for removably engaging the secondoffset portion 104 at one end and an upwardly resiliently biasedactuating plunger 168 of the electrical switch 38. As shown in FIGS. 7and 8, the crank 100 is rotatably journaled at one end on an interveningperforated partition 109 in the junction box 32 or can extend completelyacross and be rotatably journaled at its end in each of the end walls ofthe junction box.

By virtue of the linkage arrangement shown, the upward resilient biasedmovement of the actuating plunger 108 of the electric switch 38, causesthe crank 100 to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 7,whereby the connecting member 98, the push rod 96, the connecting member94 and the screw link 92 are resiliently biased toward the left asviewed in FIG. 7 whereby the actuating lever arm 72 is moved in aclockwise direction to the off position. When the seat is moved from therest position shown in phantom in FIG. 5 to the fully lowered positionas shown in solid lines, the actuating lever 92 moves in acounterclockwise direction as hereinbefore described wherein a pushingmovement is transmitted through the linkage system causing the crank arm100 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction whereby the second offsetportion 102 pulls the insulated flexible member 106 downwardly which inturn withdraws the actuating plunger 108 in opposition to its resilientbiasing force causing the switch to be actuated which in turn energizesthe exhaust fan.

The entire linkage system is enclosed within the exhaust conduit system28 which comprises a tubular elbow 110 which is slidably disposed overthe tubular bearing sleeve 1 541) as shown in FIG. 3 and removablysecured thereon by a set screw 112. A second elbow 114 is slidablydisposed within the lower end of the tubular elbow 110 and removablysecured thereto by a second set screw 116. A telescoping conduit supplypipe comprising a first section 118a having its forward end adjustablysecured to the second elbow 114 and a second section 118]) slidably andtelescopically disposed within the first section 118a is removablysecured at its other end to the inlet of the junction box 32 as shown inFIG. 7. By virtue of the telescoping relationship between conduit supplysections 118a, 118b, the conduit supply system will readily accommodatevariations between the spacing of the toilet bowl 26 with respect to thewall of the lavatory in which the junction box 32 is mounted.

The conduit supply sections 118a, 118b are snugly and slidably disposedat their overlapping sections to minimize entry or outside airf'at theirconnection during operation of the exhaust fan. The conduit supplysections can' also be readily telescoped merely by loosening either ofthe set screws at their connection to the junction box 32 at one end andthe second elbow 114 at the'other end to gain ready access to thelinkage system enclosed therein so as to enable appropriate adjustmentof theconnecting member 94 relative to the screw link 92.

On actuation of the electric switch 38 and the exhaust fan controlledthereby, air is drawn from the interior of the bowl 26 through thechannel or recess 40 on the underside of the seat 20 and thence throughthe throat portion 43 and through the venting apertures 46 in thetubular sleeve 44 and venting aperture 68 through the inner sleeve 66 tothe interior of the tubular hinge assembly 24. From there the air isdrawn through the inner sleeve 66 through the elbows and 114 and throughthe sup.- ply sections 118a, 118b into the junction box 32. The airthereafter passes from one compartment of junction box 32 through theperforated intermediate partition 109 thereof and from there upwardlythrough the vent stack 34 into the inlet side of the exhaust fan. Thedischarge of the air from the exhaust fan as hereinbefore set forth canbe achieved either through the wall or roof of the building.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that by virtue of thedisassemblable construction of the toilet ventilating system comprisingthe present invention, a high degree of flexibility and versatility ofinstallation are provided to adapt the system to any one specificinstallation. The interchangeability of the tubular hinge assembly 24en: ables connection of the exhaust conduit system 28 on either theright end or left end of the tubular hinge assembly as viewed in FIG. 3.In addition, the telescoping movement of the conduit supply pipesections 118a, 1181; and the adjustable feature provided between thepush rod 96 and connecting member 94 and screw link 92, provides forsimple adjustment of the assembly and appropriate automatic actuationthereof in respons to the movement of the seat from the rest position tothe fully lowered position. As soon as the seat is released, it ispivoted from the lowered position back to the rest position, inaccordance with the biasing force of the cylindrical spring rod 86 andthe biasing force of the resiliently biased actuating plunger 108 of theelectric switch 38 restores the seat and the operating linkage to theotf position. A

While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention hereindisclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention,it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the properscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lavatory ventilation system for use on toilet bowls, thecombination comprising a tubular hinge as sembly detachably secured tothe rear portion of a toilet bowl and including a rotatablyfixed'tubular outer sleeve having a venting aperture therethrough, anoval shaped toilet seat including a tubular mounting portion at the rearportion thereof disposed in overlying sliding relationship around saidouter sleeve providing for pivoting movemerit of said seat to and fromalowered position and a raised position, said seat adapted to snuglyoverlie a portion of said bowl when in said lowered position, and havinga recess in the underside thereof, said mountingportion having a throattherethrough disposed in communication with said recess and said ventingaperture in said outer sleeve when said seat is in said lowered positionand out of communication with said venting aperture when said seat is insaid raised position, resilient means coacting with said tubular hingeassembly and said seat for resiliently biasing said seat in a restposition angular-1y spaced from said lowered position, a seat coverpivotally mounted on said outer sleeve, a tubular inner sleeve slidablydisposed within said outer sleeve and having a venting port therethroughadapted to be disposed in communication with said venting aperture andsaid throat when said seat is in said lowered position, a remotelydisposed exhaust fan, a remotely disposed switching means for energizingsaid exhaust fan, conduit means connecting one end of said inner sleeveto said exhaust fan, an actuating lever mounted on said one end of saidinner sleeve and disposed in said conduit means, coacting means on saidtubular mounting portion for rotating said inner sleeve and said leverthereon when said seat is moved from said rest position to said loweredposition as when occupied, and means connecting said actuating lever tosaid switching means for energizing said fan when said seat is movedfrom said rest position to said lowered position.

2. In a lavatory ventilation system for use on toilet bowls, thecombination comprising a tubular hinge assembly detachably secured tothe rear portion of a toilet bowl and including a rotatably fixedtubular outer sleeve having a venting aperture therethrough, an ovalshaped toilet seat including a tubular mounting portion at the rearportion thereof disposed in overlying sliding relationship around saidouter sleeve providing for pivoting movement of said seat to and from alowered position and a raised position, said seat adapted to snuglyoverlie a portion of said bowl when in said lowered position, and havinga recess in the underside thereof, said mounting portion having a throattherethrough disposed in communication with said recess and said ventingaperture in said outer sleeve when said seat is in said lowered positionand out of communication with said venting aperture when said seat is insaid raised position, a series of projections extending longitudinallyalong the rear periphery of said mounting portion, a spring rodsupported on said tubular hinge assembly and disposed in resilientcontact with said projections for resiliently biasing said seat in arest position angularly spaced from said lowered position, a seat coverpivotally mounted on said outer sleeve, a tubular inner sleeve slidablydisposed within said outer sleeve and having a venting port therethroughadapted to be disposed in communication with said venting aperture andsaid throat when said seat is in said lowered position, a remotelydisposed exhaust fan, a remotely disposed switching means for energizingsaid exhaust fan, conduit means connecting one end of said inner sleeveto said exhaust fan, an actuating lever mounted on said one end of saidinner sleeve and disposed in said conduit means, coacting means on saidtubular mounting portion for rotating said inner sleeve and said leverthereon when said seat is moved from said rest position to said loweredposition as when occupied, and means connecting said actuating lever tosaid switching means for energizing said fan when said seat is movedfrom said rest position to said lowered position.

3. In a lavatory ventilation system for use on toilet bowls, thecombination comprising a tubular hinge assembly detachably secured tothe rear portion of a toilet bowl and including a rotatably fixedtubular outer sleeve having a venting aperture therethrough, an ovalshaped toilet seat including a tubular mounting portion at the rearportion thereof disposed in overlying sliding relationship around saidouter sleeve providing for pivoting movement of said seat to and from alowered position and a raised position, said seat adapted to snuglyoverlie a portion of said bowl when in said lowered position, and havinga recess in the underside thereof, said mounting portion having a throattherethrough disposed in communication with said recess and said ventingaperture in said outer sleeve when said seat is in said lowered positionand out of communication with said venting aperture when said seat is insaid raised position, resilient means coacting with said tubular hingeassembly and said seat for resiliently biasing said seat in a restposition angularly spaced from said lowered position, a seat coverpivotally mounted on said outer sleeve, a tubular inner sleeve slidablydisposed within said outer sleeve and having a venting port therethroughadapted to be disposed in communication with said venting aperture andsaid throat when said seat is in said lowered position, a remotelydisposed exhaust fan, a remotely disposed switching means for energizingsaid exhaust fan, conduit means connecting one end of said inner sleeveto said exhaust fan, an actuating lever mounted on said one end of saidinner sleeve and disposed in said conduit means, said outer and saidinner sleeve provided with longitudinally aligned arcuated slotstherethrough, an inwardly extending actuator on said tubular mountingportion disposed in said arcuate slots for engaging and rotating saidinner sleeve. and said lever thereon when said seat is moved from saidrest position to said lowered position as when occupied, and meansconnecting said actuating lever to said switching means for energizingsaid fan when said seat is moved from said rest position to said loweredposition.

4. In a lavatory ventilation system for use on toilet bowls, thecombination comprising a tubular hinge assembly detachably secured tothe rear portion of a toilet bowl and including a rotatably fixedtubular outer sleeve having a venting aperture therethrough, an ovalshaped toilet seat including a tubular mounting portion at the rearportion thereof disposed in overlying sliding relationship around saidouter sleeve providing for pivoting movement of said seat to and from alowered position and a raised position, said seat adapted to snuglyoverlie a portion of said bowl when in said lowered position, and havinga recess in the underside thereof, said mounting portion having a throattherethrough disposed in communication with said recess and said ventingaperture in said outer sleeve when said seat is in said lowered positionand out of communication with said venting aperture when said seat is insaid raised position, resilient means coacting with said tubular hingeassembly and said seat for resiliently biasing said seat in a restposition angularly spaced from said lowered position, a seat coverpivotally mounted on said outer sleeve, a tubular inner sleeve slidablydisposed within said outer sleeve and having a venting port therethroughadapted to be disposed in communication with said venting aperture andsaid throat when said seat is in said lowered position, a remotelydisposed exhaust fan, a remotely disposed switching means for energizingsaid exhaust fan, conduit means connecting one end of said inner sleeveto said exhaust fan, an actuating lever mounted on said one end of saidinner sleeve and disposed in said conduit means, coacting means on saidtubular mounting portion for rotating said inner sleeve and said leverthereon to and from an inoperative position when said seat is disposedin said rest position and an operative position when said seat isdisposed in said lowered position as when occupied, adjustable linkagemeans extending through said conduit means for con necting saidactuating lever to said switching means for energizing said fan whensaid seat is moved from said rest position to said lowered position, andmeans biasing said linkage means and said actuating lever toward said inoperative position.

5. In a lavatory ventilation system for use on toilet bowls, thecombination comprising a tubular hinge assembly detachably secured tothe rear portion of a toilet bowl and including a rotatably fixedtubular outer sleeve having a venting aperture therethrough, an ovalshaped toilet seat including a tubular mounting portion at the rearportion thereof disposed in overlying sliding relationship around saidouter sleeve providing for pivoting movement of said seat to and from alowered position and a raised position, said seat adapted to snuglyoverlie a portion of said bowl when in said lowered position, and havinga recess in the underside thereof, said mounting portion having a throattherethrough disposed in communication with said recess and said ventingaperture in said outer sleeve when said seat is in said lowered positionand out of communication with said venting aperture when said seat is insaid raised position, a series of projections extending longitudinallyalong the rear periphery of said mounting portion, a spring rodsupported on said tubular hinge assembly and disposed in resilientcontact with said projections for resiliently biasing said seat in arest position angularly spaced from said lowered position, a seat coverpivotally mounted on said outer sleeve, a tubular inner sleeve slidablydisposed within said outer sleeve and having a venting port therethroughadapted to be disposed in communication with said venting aperture andsaid throat when said seat is in said lowered position, a remotelydisposed exhaust fan, a remotely disposed switching means for energizingsaid 9 exhaust fan, conduit means connecting one end of said innersleeve to said exhaust fan, an actuating lever mounted on said one endof said inner sleeve and disposed in said conduit means, said outer andsaid inner sleeves provided with longitudinally aligned arcuate slotstherethrough, an inwardly extending actuator on said tubular mountingportion disposed in said arcuate slots for engaging and rotating saidinner sleeve and said lever thereon to and from an inoperative positionwhen said seat is disposed in said rest position and an operativeposition when said seat is disposed in said lowered position as whenocccupied, adjustable linkage means extending through said conduit meansfor connecting said actuating lever to said switching means forenergizing said fan when said seat is moved from said rest position tosaid lowered position, and means biasing said linkage means and saidactuating lever toward said inoperative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

